Eurasian Goshawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter gentilis compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Goshawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter gentilis | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 67.5 cm (26.6 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 1153.75 g (40.70 oz) | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Eurasian Goshawk only
None
Bald Eagle only
Bald Eagle
Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Eurasian Goshawk
Bald Eagle
High-pitched, chattering whistle: a rapid 'kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik'. Surprisingly weak and thin for such a large raptor. Also gives a lower 'kwit-kwit' call near the nest.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Goshawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Goshawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Eurasian Goshawk
Bald Eagle
Adults have a dark brown body with a striking white head and tail. Juveniles are mottled brown and white, reaching full adult plumage at age five.
Large, hooked, bright yellow bill
About These Birds
Eurasian Goshawk
The Eurasian Goshawk, <em>Accipiter gentilis</em>, is a large and powerful raptor in the family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites), widely distributed across temperate forests of Europe, Asia, and North America. It is strongly associated with forest habitats, relying on explosive bursts of speed and maneuverability to pursue prey — typically medium-sized birds and mammals — through dense woodland. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature beyond nesting data. The species is assessed as …
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States. Once endangered due to DDT pesticide use, it made a remarkable recovery and was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. These powerful raptors build the largest tree nests of any bird, some weighing over two tons.